Local Businesses Support the Project as Construction Gears up for Australia’s First Utility Scale Hybrid Farm

Local businesses are getting behind Nacap sister company Quanta Solar and Vestas building Australia’s first utility-scale wind, solar, storage hybrid generator as construction gets underway near Hughenden in north-west Queensland.

The $160 million innovative Kennedy Energy Park Project already has over ten local suppliers involved and discussions with Rainbow Gateway to ensure opportunities for indigenous employment are underway. A number of houses have been rented around Hughenden to house the initial wave of construction staff with much more temporary accommodation being prepared as activity ramps up.

The project owned by Kennedy Energy Park Holding Pty Ltd is being developed through a 50/50 joint venture between Windlab Limited and Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation. It comprises 43.2MW wind, 15MW solar and 2MW battery storage. Quanta Solar will provide engineering, procurement and construction services (EPC). Vestas will supply and install the wind turbines and operate and maintain the hybrid park on completion. The foundations for the wind turbines, will be conducted by civil and pipeline contractor Nacap.

Quanta Solar mobilised to site mid-January and have been engaging businesses to understand what skill sets, services and products are available from the local community. Over 100 expressions of interest to provide services have been received.

Roger Price, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Windlab Limited stated “Renewable energy projects are renowned for bringing economic benefit to local communities and it is pleasing to see we are off to a strong start at Kennedy Energy Park”. “Many of the skills identified and developed during the construction of Kennedy Energy Park will also be invaluable to deliver the planned investment in stage 2, Kennedy Wind Farm and the Queensland Clean Energy Hub”, added Mr Price.

Charles Wright, President Quanta Solar, said it was important to both Quanta and Vestas that they engage with and utilise the resources on offer from the local area where possible.

Peter Cowling, Country Head Australia and New Zealand of Vestas agreed; “Upon completion of the project, Vestas will commence maintaining the Park under a 15-year service maintenance contract. Vestas looks forward to exploring training programs and workforce requirements with the local community, ensuring the area is equipped with high-tech skills in new technologies for the road ahead”, he said.

John Palmer, Site Construction Manager for Quanta Solar said that the community has a positive outlook and is eager to support the project.

“Currently we are in the early days of project mobilisation so we are undertaking activities such as laying down site sheds and offices. We’ve been looking for local contractors, electricians and hardware for tools,” he said.

“However, we are also preparing for when our workforce ramps up so we’ve been talking to local cafes and sporting facilities. Everyone seems happy to have us around and we are excited to be a welcome visitor to the Hughenden community,” John commented.

For further information on the Project people can visit www.kennedyenergypark.com.au. Suppliers, business or people looking for employment can visit & register through the Quanta Solar website at www.quantasolar.com.au or Vestas Career Community. If you have already registered, Quanta Solar or Vestas will be in touch when matching services are required.

For more Quanta Solar information please contact:

Donna McDowall
Donna.McDowall@quantasolar.com
+61 438 792 033

About Quanta Solar Australia

Quanta Solar is a wholly owned brand of Quanta Services Inc. (NYSE:PWR) and brings together the expertise of several operating units to provide a complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solution for the Australian Solar Industry. The team of operating units, in Australia, are: Nacap; Consolidated Power Projects; Enscope; NJ Construction and Coe Drilling. Quanta Solar is backed by seven years of US Solar EPC experience as well as a long history of Australian based project delivery in the energy sector, and the surety of a Fortune 500 company.